Sos Boton

The song 'Sos Boton' by Damas Gratis is a direct and unapologetic critique of someone who has betrayed their roots and friends by becoming a police officer, which in the context of the song, is seen as a negative transformation. The term 'boton' is Argentine slang for a snitch or a police officer, often used pejoratively to describe someone who betrays trust for personal gain or to curry favor with authorities. The lyrics express disappointment and a sense of betrayal felt by the singer towards an old friend who has changed sides, so to speak, and is now enforcing the law instead of standing with his former companions.

The song paints a picture of the past, where the subject was part of a group of friends, known as 'el picante,' suggesting a reputation for being tough or edgy. The transformation into a 'boton' is seen as a loss of authenticity and a departure from the values and camaraderie of the group. The repeated lines 'Vos sos un boton' drive home the central message of the song, emphasizing the disdain for the person's current role as a police officer. The mention of the subject's behavior at soccer matches, once drinking with the fans and now patrolling with a cellphone, further illustrates the perceived betrayal.

Damas Gratis, known for their cumbia villera music, a subgenre of cumbia originating in the shantytowns of Argentina, often addresses themes of social class, street life, and the struggles of the marginalized. 'Sos Boton' fits within this tradition, using the music to voice the frustrations and tensions between different social groups, particularly those who feel abandoned or betrayed by one of their own.